For me, like many others, going to Catholic schools was never up for debate. My grandmother and mother made sacrifices and parish priests and school staff always did what they could to make my education, as well as my brother’s, a reality.

As a little tike, I attended St. Francis Xavier School in Birmingham, and to this day, I remember the beaming smile of Sister Janet Marie Flemming, O.S.B., the principal at the time. Her successor, Sister of Mercy Judith Dianne McGowan, had a gentleness as a principal that was simply endearing. From my years at St. Francis Xavier, to those at St. Mary Help of Christians in Aiken, S.C., and John Carroll Catholic High School in Birmingham, I can say with honesty that every single teacher and principal lived their vocation fully. Tricia Guy, one of my English teachers at John Carroll, taught me skills that I use every day. Veronica Wheeler, my art teacher at John Carroll, helped foster my love of art. With that said, I think it is safe to say that Catholic education has helped many on their journey to a successful career; however, the same can be said for many public schools.

That reality raises the question: Why do generations of parents keep sending their kids to Catholic schools?

To be frank, I never really thought about it. For me, it was always a foregone conclusion. But why? It’s not as if closer, cheaper, and academically equivalent options aren’t available. Is it a sense of obligation? Is it just a family tradition?

The sacrifices required for families to enroll their children in Catholic schools far outweigh obligation and tradition. Yes, it is much deeper and lasting.

As a child, I took it all for granted: going to Mass every week, being able to pray in class, having Christ permeate every facet of the school day. As a parent of three Catholic school students, I suppose it was ingrained in me that a Catholic school would be a place where the faculty and staff could provide not only a top-notch education, but an education informed by God’s love.

Being a Catholic educator, most definitely, is a calling and can, at times, be challenging. One week a year, most certainly, doesn’t seem like near enough time to express the appropriate amount of gratitude to all those associated with Catholic education. Their gift is immeasurable because their focus is definite. Thank you to all those in Catholic education for keeping God at the center of your lives and for teaching our children to do the same.